Searchlight Pictures acquired script rights in a highly competitive market. “The Defender,”The company made the announcement on Wednesday. Sterling K. Brown, three-time Emmy Award winner (“Black Panther,” “This Is Us”) is attached to star in the lead role as heroic lawyer Scipio Africanus Jones.
George Tillman Jr.“The Hate U Give”The director is (). E. Nicholas Mariani wrote the script, which was part of 2018’s Black List.
“The Defender”This documentary focuses on the remarkable story of Scipio Africaus Jones, a courageous attorney who risked his career and life to defend 87 murder victims in 1919’s Elaine, Arkansas Massacre.
Brown will produce with 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Mariani, Danielle Reardon and Dantram-Thomas will be Searchlight’s executive producers. Katie Goodson Thomas and Richard Ruiz will also oversee Searchlight.
Ben Wilkinson was VP Business Affairs, Legal Counsel and Negotiator for Searchlight Pictures. He also negotiated the deal with WME, CAA and CAA on behalf filmmakers.
Brown recently completed production on the indie movie “Honk for Jesus, Save your Soul,”He also produces the sci-fi movie, which he also produces. “Biosphere.”
Tillman Jr. directed and produced the last production. “The Hate U Give”Fox 2000 Pictures, based upon Angela Thomas’ novel.
Mariani, recently elected to WGA’s board of directors is currently writing scripts. “War Magician,”Based on the book by David Fisher. Studiocanal WWII drama director Colin Trevorrow will star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.
CAA represents Tillman Jr. Brown is represented in JWS Entertainment, CAA and Jill Fritzo PR by Ziffren Brittenham. Mariani is represented at Verve by Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.